The Gwandu Emirate in Kebbi State plans to reintroduce the “Traditional Annual Horse Racing” event to foster unity among its people. Alhaji Mustapha Usman-Adamu, Chief Coordinator of the Emirate’s Horse Racing Committee, shared this during an interview in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday.
Usman-Adamu, who also holds the traditional title of Sarkin Bargun Ka’oje, spoke after a maiden stakeholders’ meeting focused on organizing the event, which is scheduled for November this year. “This is our first meeting on how to organize a successful horse race in November,” he said.
He emphasized that horse racing is one of the activities permitted by Islam and noted that the event will bring people together, strengthen relationships, and boost the local economy. “This will allow those from the royal clan to come together, especially since the Gwandu Emirate is vast, with 10 local government areas and 55 District Heads,” Usman-Adamu explained. “It’s an opportunity for them to reconnect and re-establish relationships.”
The decision to revive the horse racing tradition was inspired by Governor Nasir Idris’s commitment to preserving the culture and traditions of the emirate. Usman-Adamu expressed gratitude, saying, “We are happy to have a governor who values traditional institutions and respects all people. He has provided the emirate with the opportunity to host this event to promote unity.”
Alhaji Haliru Abubakar, Sarkin Sukuwan Gwandu, highlighted that while other emirates like Argungu, Yauri, and Zuru have been celebrating their respective cultural festivals, Gwandu’s traditional horse racing had been paused for some time. “With the governor’s encouragement, Gwandu will reintroduce its ancestral horse racing this year,” Abubakar affirmed.
Other leaders, including the Galadiman Gwandu, Alhaji Ibrahim Bashar, and Gatan Gwandu, Alhaji Faruqu Umar, echoed support for the event. They added that the event would also feature a traditional durbar, an agricultural show, and other cultural activities. The meeting served as a platform to strategize for the event’s success and to keep the community informed with updates.
